For a long while now, I have lived with the 17-55 on my camera, and been hesitant to take it off.  It’s just so easy to zoom around and stay in one place.  I bought the 50mm for a reason, and over the last week I have rediscovered why.  The shallow depth of field and extra focal length due to the D300 crop factor makes this lens the poor mans 85 1.4.  Sadie modeled for me again, and gave me a couple really nice photos that will most likely end up on the wall somewhere.  Both shots are wide open.